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Rev. Dave's Blog: Dining On The Word
Trinity United
Methodist Church
Orrville, Ohio
Open Heart. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Rev. Dave Kowaleski's Blog
Rev. Dave Kowaleski shares a monthly word of inspiration for the congregation. This is an archive of past articles. To see the most recent blog entry, CLICK HERE.
In Jesus' ministry we see times when even he found it necessary to get away for a period of rest and refreshment. Many times he would go to a place away from the crowds and distractions. If this were important for Jesus it is something we too need to do for our health and well being.
One of the places I go to get away from the crowds and distractions is the kitchen. Not to eat, but to pull out a favorite recipe. I find that when I start measuring and reading the directions I can put all else aside, concentrate on what I'm preparing and end up with a creative and fulfilling result.
In thinking about this article, I thought of taking all of this a step further. For the course of this year and into next, I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes and looking at them from a biblical perspective. The title of this series will be "Dining on the Word." I hope that this will offer something different but meaningful to our journey of faith. Remember, some of Jesus' most effective ministry was centered around a meal.
Today's recipe is simple but full of flavor. It's a baked potato with ingredients that permeate the flavor of the whole potato. It's done by slicing the potato cross wise at 1/4 inch intervals and inserting thin slices of onion in each slice. When eaten, all of the flavors blend together to offer a delightful taste.
It makes me wonder, what kind of flavor do we offer to the world? In Matthew 5:11, Jesus once said, "You are the salt of the world; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?" When salt is added to a recipe it enhances the flavor. Our Christian life should be such that it adds flavor to life. In a world of anxiety over the economy, world peace, home foreclosures and the various circumstances of life, we, as God's people, need to be the salt and light that brings stability and peace in times of uncertainty.
The key to this begins within ourselves. Just as the onion in today's recipe fills the dish with its flavor, it's important the we allow ourselves to be filled with God's Spirit of love and presence. The very fact of Jesus' resurrection assures us of this. This is where the flavor of our faith begins and this is where we offer a feast filled with the flavor and promises of God.
Onion Stuffed Potatoes
3 long white potatoes 1/4 tsp pepper
1 medium onion 1 TBS grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBS margarine parsley, chopped, to taste
3/4 tsp garlic powder paprika, to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash potatoes thoroughly. Slice cross-wise at 1/4 inch intervals (DO NOT cut all the way through). Place onion slices into slits in potatoes, then dot with margarine and sprinkle seasonings over top. Wrap potatoes in foil. Bake for 60 minutes.
